Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Visits Japan

(22/05/2013)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is on a working visit to Japan from 22 to 25 May 2013 for the 19th International Conference on “The Future of Asia” in Tokyo.

The visit is at the invitation of Nikkei Inc, the host of this event. The conference is a forum that each year brings together political leaders and top business executives to discuss the future of Asia-Pacific nations and how development in the region stands to impact the global economy. It is held annually by Nikkei and the Japan Center for Economic Research.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Yingluck is scheduled to have an audience with Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and meet Prime Minister Shinso Abe on 23 May, when she also delivers a keynote speech on “Investing in the Future of Asia” at the conference.

The Prime Minister will share her vision on the future direction of Asia as a continuously growing and strengthening region. She will raise possible issues of challenge that may slow down Asian growth as well as possible solutions that Asian countries can join forces in solving and tackling such challenges, so that the future of Asia will not be harmed.

Prime Minister Yingluck intends to boost confidence of Japanese business people and encourage them to maintain and expand their production base in Thailand. She will reiterate strategic partnership between Thailand and Japan and ensure that the Thai government would facilitate Japanese investments in Thailand.

Thai-Japanese cooperation in the development of the Dawei Special Economic Zone and deep sea port in Myanmar will also be raised for discussion.

Accompanying Prime Minister Yingluck on this trip are OTOP and SME operators from Thailand who will observe product development and marketing channels in Japan. The Prime Minister will also meet the President of the Long Stay Business Association of Japan and discuss with Japanese representatives a project on older persons.

She will return to Bangkok at 10:30 p.m. on 25 May.